Bald Patch and Symptoms of Depression; is she sick or missing my husband who was big part of her rou

My one year old cat's behavior has changed significantly since my husband left several weeks ago (he will be gone until June). About a week ago, I noticed Izzy had a large 1" X 1.5" bald patch above her shoulder blades (it appeared suddenly as I'm sure I would have noticed had it been there more than a day). She shows no interest in food or any of her usual activities, and I rarely see her; she hides somewhere in the house and doesn't even come out for meals anymore, although I suspect she eats kibbles during the night. We adopted her and her sister and brother together and they are usually not far from one another. Normally they play hard and nap hard, but Izzy has withdrawn from all activity. At first I thought the bald patch was an allergic reaction to the spotting she received w/ Revolution about two weeks earlier, but now I'm not so sure. My husband's lap has been her refuge and home base all of her life (to the degree that a cat can adore someone, she adores him), and they had an established routine that rarely varied. He will be back in June, but I'm worried about her. I've decided to call the vet tomorrow and make an appt, but does anyone have any guesses as to what this might be about? I don't think I've heard of a cat pining for her master to this degree, but it sure looks like depression to me.  

Hi pguyton,

Is this the first time your pet has been separated from your husband? Your cat has a strong emotional attachment to your husband, first of all.  Second, since your cat is still young, your husband is like a parent or close family member to your cat.  Being a member of the medical (but not veterinary) profession, my best educated guess is that your cat is stressed and depressed due to the absence of your husband. (Search for "Separation Anxiety" or SAD on the web for more information. SAD is more of a disorder in children, but it will fit your situation as it explains more about what it is.)  I have known people to lose patches of hair during high periods of stress.  

Your cat is mourning a 'loss.'  It seems his absence could possibly be being interpreted by your cat as a death, since he is no longer around in your cat's eyes.  I do remember from what I learned in pediatrics about how a child reacts when left alone in the hospital. The parents do not come to visit.  In one of the stages the child withdraws altogether and your cat is doing exactly the same thing.  Your cat's age is in the same childhood age-range.  The first year, a cat ages to 15 years in people age.  The separation may be even more intense if your cat was removed from its mother cat too soon, or before being weaned.  Your cat's fur will grow back after your husband returns.  

Something that may help ease the stress of your cat is this: lay an article of clothing your husband has worn, but has not been washed, near this cat or place it in one of your cat's favorite spots.  I'm not sure how long human scent stays on clothing or blankets, pillow slips, etc., but it would be worth a try.  Also, would it be possible for your husband to mail you a t-shirt or pair of his socks back to you that he has worn recently and that he can do without for the next few weeks?  (Maybe he could just go buy a shirt and/or pair of socks, wear it for a day, then mail it to you. I would suggest he do this weekly until he returns home.)

I do know that there is a spray you can try out.  It's called Feliway and it's used for cats who urinate in inappropriate areas. Since it has calming effects, I would imagine it may work for anxiety/depression, too. Giving the cat real parts of a catnip plant may help, too, but may also increase it's anxiety if it has to compete with another/other cat(s).  I'd pay extra special attention to the cat for the next several weeks until your husband comes home, talking to the cat to let your cat know that he will be back, showing a picture of him to the cat, being extra reassuring.   

I hope some of this helps you!

~C

Hi pguyton,

I also forgot to add that you should take your cat to the vet just in case the balding area is caused from a reaction to the topical medication.

~C

Poor baby girl!  She's desperately missing her daddy and is in serious danger of failing.  She needs to get to the vet IMMEDIATELY for hydration and nutritional supplementation.  Then, if you have any of his dirty clothes laying around, anything with his scent on it, even shoes, place those where she's hanging out.  Having his scent nearby will help comfort her.  If he's able, ask him to mail home a dirty t-shirt to give her for comfort.  Also, invest in a couple of feliway diffusers and use those to help her de-stress.  BUT, most importantly, she MUST eat or else her liver will start to fail and then her other organs.  Get her to the vet NOW.